Dallas, June 5, 2026, 14:02 CDT
Southwest Airlines is adding more leisure routes for early 2027, and is now talking about possible long-haul international flights—longer overseas routes outside its regular near-international runs—within five years. The expansion takes the Dallas-based airline further off its traditional, mostly domestic playbook.
Southwest is under pressure to show it can boost revenue with its changes and still keep its broad customer base. The carrier has brought in assigned seating, extra-legroom seats, and started charging bag fees. In April, Southwest said those moves helped push first-quarter operating revenue to a record $7.2 billion.
Southwest Airlines customers can now book flights through March 10, 2027. The airline said the next schedule release lands on July 16, aiming to offer tickets through April 5, 2027. This lets Southwest sell more winter and spring itineraries ahead of time, which the company said helps families and leisure travelers planning around school calendars.
Southwest’s early-2027 schedule has Buffalo-Miami, Columbus-San Juan, Indianapolis-West Palm Beach, Manchester-Fort Myers, Nashville-Liberia in Costa Rica, Pittsburgh-West Palm Beach, Portland, Maine-Fort Myers, Providence-Sarasota and Rochester-Fort Lauderdale, according to current travel coverage. Most fly to sun destinations. Nashville-Liberia is the only international route in the group.
Southwest is adding more flights for summer. The airline plans to launch San Diego-Boston, Austin-Cincinnati, Austin-Seattle, and Las Vegas routes to Cancun and Los Cabos starting June 4. Ontario-Honolulu daily flights are also on the schedule from June 4. Service between Burbank-Honolulu, Long Beach-Portland, and Long Beach-Seattle is set to begin August 4.
Adam Decaire, Southwest’s senior vice president for network planning and operations control, said the airline has reviewed industry trends and is focusing on “places where we are able to provide Customers more choices,” mentioning Las Vegas, Orlando, and San Diego. Decaire later pointed to new facilities in San Diego and Burbank and onboard upgrades, saying these changes mean Southwest is set up to grow in Southern California. Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest is looking at long-haul international flights in the next five years, CEO Bob Jordan said at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference. Jordan said the carrier could meet most of its customers’ international demand with eight to 12 destinations.
Southwest CEO Jordan said Baltimore looks like a logical spot to launch transatlantic routes. Jordan said Southwest isn’t looking to mimic big international networks like United, Delta or American. Instead, a few long-haul routes could still matter to Southwest’s customer base.
Southwest has started laying foundation for international flying, but so far it only flies narrow-bodies. According to Travel Weekly, its Boeing 737 Max jets can make it from Baltimore to the U.K. and Ireland. The airline also has a partner network with Icelandair, EVA Air, China Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Philippine Airlines, Condor and Turkish Airlines.
Loyalty is part of the plan too. Jordan said adding long-haul “aspirational” routes could benefit Rapid Rewards, plus Southwest’s co-branded credit cards—cards issued with a bank partner that earn flight rewards. That’s key, as airline loyalty programs and credit card tie-ups have turned into big profit drivers for airlines. Travel Weekly
But there are risks. Fuel prices are up as the Iran war pushes costs higher and some airlines have to change routes. Moody’s put its global airline sector outlook to negative. Southwest said first-quarter fuel costs came in above its earlier guidance and it is now assuming second-quarter fuel at $4.10 to $4.15 a gallon. That’s a tough hit if fares don’t rise enough to offset it.
Southwest CEO Jordan said fare hikes haven’t dented demand yet, telling Reuters there’s been “no drop-off in demand at all.” But he warned fuel prices could stay high for a while. Plans for long-haul service are still only concepts, with no firm routes, planes, or schedules right now. Reuters
